Definition of "chinchilla" noun countable and uncountable , plural chinchillas
(countable) Either of two small , crepuscular rodents of the genus Chinchilla , native to the Andes , prized for their very soft fur and often kept as pets . quotations examples
Quotations Chinchillas inhabit high elevations (3,000–5,000m ) of the Chilean Andes Mountains . The chinchillas kept as pet or research animals in North America are all descendents [sic ] of 13 founders wild caught in 1927.
2008, Jeff Wyatt, “Chapter 17: Anesthesia and Analgesia in Other Mammals”, in Richard E. Fish, Marilyn J. Brown, Peggy J. Danneman, Alicia Z. Karas, editors, Anesthesia and Analgesia in Laboratory Animals, page 469
Chinchillas are long -lived rodents that are native to South America , primarily Peru , Argentina , Bolivia , and Chile . The chinchilla is a hystricomorph (hedgehoglike ) rodent closely related to guinea pigs , porcupines , and agoutis (Hrapkiewicz et al ., 1998).
2009, Ron E. Banks, Julie M. Sharp, Sonia D. Doss, Deborah A. Vanderford, Exotic Small Mammal Care and Husbandry, page 125